Second Test in balance after Shakib’s triple-strike

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Staff Correspondent:Rain came to halt the 2ndday of the last test at early end after three wickets in two overs from Shakib Al Hasan had left the second Test delicately poised.

Replying to Bangladesh's 289, New Zealand had slid from 252 for 4 to 260 for 7 when bad weather arrived some 20 minutes from scheduled close of play, ending a seesawing day in which New Zealand had routinely held the upper hand only for quick losses of wickets to stall their progress.

First, New Zealand had capitalised on two dropped catches and moved to 46 for no loss before Kamrul Islam Rabbi pegged them back with two wickets in three balls. Then a 106-run third-wicket partnership between Tom Latham and Ross Taylor, which rattled along at 4.41 per over, put Bangladesh on the back foot only for both to fall, against the run of play, in the space of 8.5 overs.

Shakib's triple-strike came after another meaty partnership - 75 for the fifth wicket between Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner. Nicholls was batting on 56 at stumps, with New Zealand seven down and trailing by 29 runs.

Shakib, the Bangladesh's most experienced bowler, had only been used for four overs when he came back into the attack to start the 67th of New Zealand's innings.